LEGAZPI CITY – Mayor Noel Rosal on Friday welcomed the move of the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to suspend the Manila-Bicol routes of provincial buses.
Rosal, in a phone interview, said he agreed with other local government units (LGUS) which asked the LTFRB to temporarily ban provincial bus operation to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Rosal, currently the Regional Development Council (RDC) chair, said the issue would be taken up during the regular council meeting on September 4 for possible discussion and to arrive at a resolution.
Admitting that he was not informed of the plan, Rosal said: “This is a welcome development, though the move was not meant to discriminate our kababayans (countrymen) who wanted to return home because of the pandemic, rather it aimed to promote the general welfare of the community in addressing the health concern.”
Asked how long the provincial bus ban will be, he said: “Maybe later, when the condition normalizes, to flatten the curve there should be fewer movements.”
Health authorities should see to it that locally stranded individuals strictly follow the health protocols, especially undergoing COVID-19 tests before they are allowed to travel back home, he said.